Winding machine

ABSTRACT

A winding machine ( 10 ) for winding and/or unwinding band-shaped or strip-like material ( 12 ) has at least one rotary plate ( 16 ), which is arranged on a pivot arm ( 24 ) and can be driven by means of at least two opposite coupling elements ( 20, 22 ), at least one coupling element ( 20 ) being associated with the rotary plate ( 16 ), and the rotary plate ( 16 ) being transferrable by means of a pivot device ( 30 ) between at least one decoupled state and at least one coupled state. Because the coupling elements ( 20, 22 ) can be positioned opposite one another in a coupling position in a sensor-based manner, this allows a coupling process which is as wear-free as possible.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to and claims the priority of German patent application 10 2020 119 382.3, filed on 25 Jul. 2020, the disclosure content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a winding machine for winding and/or unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material and also to a method for transferring a rotary plate of a winding machine.

BACKGROUND

Band-shaped or strip-shaped material is used in industry for many purposes. For example, by punching the band-shaped or strip-shaped material, for example a metal band, a wide variety of different components can be produced, inter alia, for the electrical industry. Here, the band-shaped or strip-shaped material is usually delivered on drums or pallets and, for example, for the punching process must first be unwound from the drum or the pallet. The situation is the reverse, accordingly, when producing the material, and the material is wound up. Then, following production, the material is wound for example onto a drum or a pallet for transport to a customer.

Depending on whether the material has to be wound onto or unwound from a drum or a pallet, the drum is generally rotated about a horizontal axis, or the pallet is rotated about a vertical axis, so that the band-shaped or strip-shaped material can be wound or unwound. In the prior art there are devices for this purpose, which for example have a horizontal or a vertical axis of rotation and thus wind or unwind the band-shaped material.

A horizontal unwinder for unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material from at least one horizontally disposed reel comprising a rotary drive and a guide means is known from DE 202 03 489 U1. A sensor means is provided for scanning the height of the reels and is adjustable depending on the detected height. The unwinder can thus be adapted to the height of the material conveyed from the reel depending on the material used.

A feed system for feeding a band to a production line is known from DE 36 87 229 T2, wherein the reel is arranged on a rotary plate or a turntable. The rotary unit is not pivotably mounted.

The prior art likewise describes, in particular in the product portfolio of the applicant, devices which realize both application possibilities (pallet and drum) in one device (Leicht Stanzautomation GmbH, https://stanzutomation.de/de/maschinen/ptw-130, last retrieved: 30 Jun. 2020). In a pallet mode the pallet is wound and/or unwound with respect to a vertical axis by means of a rotary plate. By pivoting the rotary plate, it is possible to transfer the device into a drum mode so that a drum can be wound and/or unwound about a horizontal axis. When changing between the two modes, the rotary plate is coupled with or decoupled from a motor by means of a coupling device. Depending on the position of the rotary plate, however, the coupling elements of the jaw coupling are arranged such that they may “catch” on one another during the coupling or decoupling, and the coupling elements may thus become worn and/or damaged. It is thus necessary to orient the coupling elements opposite one another manually.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure is to provide a winding machine for winding and/or unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material which allows a coupling process which is as simple, quick and wear-free as possible.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The features described individually in the claims are combinable with one another in any technically feasible way and can be supplemented by explanatory information from the description and by details from the figures, in which further variants are shown.

The winding machine for winding and/or unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material has at least one rotary plate, which is arranged on a pivot arm and can be driven by means of at least two opposite coupling elements, wherein at least one coupling element is associated with the rotary plate. In this context, band-shaped material can be understood to be metal and non-metal material, but additionally also raw material or solid material, for example in the form of unpunched and/or unprocessed metal strips.

The winding of the band-shaped material is understood to mean both a winding up and an unwinding of the material, i.e. the device can be used for both purposes. In this context, “opposite” means that the coupling elements can engage in one another at least in a positive-locking or force-locking manner.

The rotary plate can be transferred by means of a pivot device, for example a piston-cylinder unit, between at least one decoupled state and at least one coupled state. Here, the decoupled state corresponds for example to a drum mode, and the coupled state for example a pallet mode. The coupling elements can be positioned opposite one another in at least one coupling position in a sensor-based manner, for example electrically and/or magnetically, by means of at least one sensor, whereby a coupling process which is as simple, quick and wear-free as possible is advantageously made possible. In principle, a plurality of coupling positions can also be provided. Without a sensor-based positioning opposite one another that is as accurate and precise as possible, the coupling elements would strike against one another during the coupling process and become tilted and worn, such that the coupling elements and/or the machine could be damaged. The coupling elements therefore ought to first be oriented manually, which is time-consuming and may result in an inaccurate and imprecise orientation, such that the coupling elements might still become tilted in spite of the manual orientation.

In order to perform a positioning that is as quick, accurate and precise as possible, and also to ensure a secure coupling when the coupling element is rotated, the coupling element is positionable in the coupling position preferably using at least one first sensor, for example an electric and/or magnetic sensor. For example, it is conceivable that in the decoupled state one coupling element is fixed, for example the coupling element associated with the rotary plate, but the other coupling element can still rotate. In order to move the two coupling elements into an opposite position relative to one another for coupling, the first sensor detects the position of the coupling element, which can still rotate, and, if the coupling element is not already in the coupling position, prompts the coupling element to be brought into the coupling position, for example by a positioning device, such as a motor. If the coupling element should shift for example during the pivoting process of the rotary plate, the sensor would register this and position the coupling element correspondingly.

During, for example, the pivot movement of the rotary plate, during the transfer between the decoupled state and the coupled state, it may be that the rotary plate and/or at least one coupling element turn as a result of the movement so that at least one coupling element is no longer in the coupling position. For example, during the pivot movement of the rotary plate, the coupling element associated with the rotary plate may turn. In order to advantageously prevent a shifting of the coupling elements during the pivoting process of the rotary plate, at least one coupling element is preferably fixable in the coupling position. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that individual or all coupling elements are fixable.

At least one fixing device, for example a linear swing clamp, is preferably provided and fixes the coupling element in the coupling position in the decoupled state. A simple, quick and secure fixing is thus advantageously ensured. For example, the fixing device fixes the coupling element which is associated with the rotary plate. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the fixing device fixes individual coupling elements or all coupling elements and also that a plurality of fixing devices are provided for the various coupling elements.

For an advantageously quick, accurate and precise positioning of the coupling elements and also for a secure fixing, at least one second sensor, for example an electric and/or magnetic sensor, is preferably provided and detects the position of the coupling element, for example of the coupling element associated with the rotary plate. It is thus ensured that both coupling elements can be positioned oppositely relative to one another and for example the pivoting process of the rotary plate starts only once the second sensor has detected the correct position. The coupling element associated with the rotary plate can preferably be positionable in the coupling position with the aid of the second sensor. For example the position can be performed by means of a further positioning device, for example a second motor, or by means of the first-mentioned positioning device.

The fixing device is preferably arranged on or in the pivot arm for an advantageously space-saving embodiment.

Advantageously for a stable and secure fixing of the coupling element, the fixing device preferably comprises at least one component, which in the fixed state cooperates with at least one counterpiece associated with the rotary plate. For example, the component can be embodied as a conical component and the counterpiece can be embodied as a conical counterpiece. In principle, however, other embodiments are also conceivable, for example as a hook and eyelet. For example, the fixing device may further preferably be embodied as a linear swing clamp with a conical component, said component pivoting through 90° when actuated and then running into the conical counterpiece and thus fixing the rotary plate and the coupling element.

In order to ensure that the pivot movement of the rotary plate does not take place already before the coupling element is correctly fixed and in order to advantageously ensure a secure fixing, in a preferred exemplary embodiment at least one third sensor, for example an electric and/or magnetic sensor, is provided and determines the state of the fixing device. For example, the sensor can register as soon as the component has run into the counterpiece. For example, it is possible that the particular state is determined by means of contact between the components, electronically, magnetically and/or by means of a corresponding force exerted on the counterpiece by the component.

In order to obtain advantageously the simplest and most effective coupling possible, one coupling element preferably has at least one formed-on portion and the other coupling element has at least one recess, which in the coupled state engage in one another in a positive-locking manner. In principle it is also possible that the coupling elements engage in one another in the coupled state in a positive-locking and/or force-locking manner.

When transferring the rotary plate between the coupled and the decoupled state, it may be that the two coupling elements are pressed against one another. For example, in the event of decoupling, it may be that the coupling elements are located oppositely in the coupling position, but may still become tilted on account of a pivot angle. In order to advantageously prevent damage to the coupling elements during the coupling process, the orientation of the formed-on portion and of the recess in the coupling position preferably runs substantially along and/or parallel to the plane spanned by the pivot movement of the pivot device. The pivot axis about which the pivot movement of the rotary plate occurs is thus at right angles to the orientation of the formed-on portion or the recess.

In order to ensure advantageously that the coupling element is fixed before the pivot movement, the pivot device is preferably formed as a lift-and-pivot device formed preferably as a piston-cylinder unit, the lift movement in particular being configured to actuate the fixing device on the rotary plate. For example, in the event of transfer from the coupled to the decoupled state, the fixing device firstly actuates the fixing device by means of the lift-and-pivot device, so that the rotary plate and the coupling element associated with the rotary plate are fixed before the pivot movement of the rotary plate is performed. It is thus advantageously ensured that the coupling elements are fixed before the pivot movement of the rotary plate and cannot shift during the movement.

In order to effect advantageously different winding and/or unwinding processes, the winding machine is preferably configured in the at least one decoupled state for operation with a drum revolving about a horizontal axis and in the at least one decoupled state for operation with a pallet revolving about a vertical axis.

A drive device is preferably provided which drives both in the decoupled state the drum revolving about the horizontal axis and in the coupled state the pallet revolving about the vertical axis. A space-saving drive option for driving both modes is thus provided advantageously.

The object is additionally achieved by a method for transferring the rotary plate of a winding machine. For an advantageously simple, quick and wear-free transfer of a rotary plate of a winding machine between at least one coupled state and at least one decoupled state, at least one coupling element of at least two coupling elements is positioned opposite the other in a sensor-based manner in a coupling position. The rotary plate is then pivoted.

In order to ensure that the coupling elements do not shift during the pivot movement of the rotary plate and become loose from the coupling position, at least one coupling element is preferably fixed. The coupling element that is associated with the rotary plate is preferably fixed. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to fix individual or all coupling elements.

In order to ensure advantageously that the coupling element is in the coupling position and is fixed in this position before the pivot movement of the rotary plate is performed, the state of the fixing device is preferably determined.

Further preferably, the rotary plate only pivots when specific criteria are satisfied, whereby advantageously the level of safety is increased: The coupling elements are in the coupling position, wherein the positions are checked by sensors and, as necessary, positioning devices bring the coupling elements into position. At least one coupling element, preferably the coupling element associated with the rotary plate, is fixed.

Further advantages will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description below of a preferred exemplary embodiment. The features described individually in the claims are combinable with one another in any technically feasible way and can be supplemented by explanatory information from the description and by details from the Figures, in which further variants are shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure will be explained in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the appended Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a winding machine in the coupled state (pallet mode),

FIG. 2 shows a winding machine in the decoupled state (drum mode),

FIG. 3 shows a drive device of the winding machine,

FIG. 4 shows the winding machine in the decoupled state according to FIG. 2 without drum,

FIG. 5 shows a detailed clipping according to FIG. 3 in the decoupled state,

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a coupling element in the coupling position according to FIG. 5 ,

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of a coupling element in the coupling position according to FIG. 5 ,

FIG. 8, 9 show detailed views of the coupling elements in the coupled state,

FIG. 10-12 show outer and inner views of the pivot arm with fixing device in various positions,

FIG. 13, 14 show the fixing device with pivoted component,

FIG. 15, 16 show the fixing device in the fixed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure will now be explained in greater detail by way of example with reference to the appended drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments are examples that are not intended to limit the inventive concept to a specific arrangement. Before the invention is described in detail it should be noted that it is not limited to the various components of the device and the various method steps, since these components and methods may vary. The terms used here are merely intended to describe particular embodiments and are not used in a limiting manner. In addition, if the singular or indefinite article is used in the description or in the claims, this refers also to the plurality of these elements, provided the general context does not clearly indicate otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a winding machine 10 for winding and/or unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material 12. The material 12 is located on a pallet 14, which is placed on a rotary plate 16. The rotary plate 16 can rotate about a vertical axis so that the band-shaped material 12 can be wound and/or unwound. The winding machine 10 in FIG. 1 is in a coupled state, the so-called pallet mode.

A so-called drum mode is shown in FIG. 2 . The winding machine 10 is in a decoupled state in FIG. 2 . In order to transfer the winding machine 10 from the pallet mode in FIG. 1 into the drum mode in FIG. 2 or from the drum mode back into the pallet mode, the rotary plate 16, which is arranged on a pivot arm 24, is pivoted. A drum 28 can be placed on rollers 18, with the drum 28 rotating about a horizontal axis as a result of the rotation of the rollers 18, so that the band-shaped or strip-shaped material can be wound and/or unwound.

A drive device 48 is shown in FIG. 3 . The rollers 18 are driven here by means of a transmission 26, for example a belt drive, which is in turn connected to a positioning device, for example a motor. The transmission 26 is connected to a shaft 34, which drives a coupling element 22, for example a driver. In the coupled state, the positioning device drives the shaft 34 by means of the transmission 26 and thus drives the rotary plate 16 by means of the coupling elements. In the decoupled state, the positioning device drives the rollers 18 by means of the transmission 26.

An opposite coupling element 20 is associated with the rotary plate 16 in accordance with FIG. 4 , so that the rotary plate 16 can be driven in the coupled state of the coupling elements 20, 22. The rotary plate 16 can be transferred between at least the decoupled state for example according to FIGS. 2 and 4 and at least the coupled state according to FIGS. 1 and 3 by means of a pivot device 30, which for example can be embodied as a piston-cylinder unit.

In FIG. 5 the coupling elements 20, 22 can be positioned in a sensor-based manner opposite one another in a coupling position. In principle, however, a plurality of coupling positions, for example corresponding in the exemplary embodiment to different angular positions of the coupling elements, can also be provided. As the rotary plate 16 is pivoted by means of the pivot device 30, an exact coupling of the coupling elements 20, 22 is advantageously produced, so that the coupling elements 20, 22 do not become tilted and therefore are not worn or at the least are worn to a lesser extent. The rotary plate 16 is for this purpose transferred from the decoupled state according to FIG. 5 into the coupled state for example according to FIG. 3 by means of the pivot device 30. The pivot device 30 for this purpose moves the pivot arm 24 and thus the rotary plate 16 and also the coupling element 20.

The coupling element 20 is preferably fixed to the rotary plate 16 in FIG. 5 in the coupling position so that the coupling element 20 cannot move into another position during the pivoting process of the rotary plate 16. The coupling elements 20, 22 advantageously remain in a position opposite one another, so that they cannot become tilted during the coupling process and therefore cannot be damaged.

According to FIG. 5 , the coupling element 22 preferably can be positioned in the coupling position with the aid of at least a first sensor 32. The sensor 32 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the coupling element 22 and determines the position of the coupling element 22.

If the coupling element 22 is not in the correct, opposite coupling position, the coupling element 22 is preferably brought into the coupling position according to FIG. 6 by means of the shaft 34 driven by the positioning device by means of the transmission 26. The coupling element 20 can then be coupled oppositely with the coupling element 22 by a pivot movement of the rotary plate 16 in accordance with FIGS. 7 to 9 .

In a preferred exemplary embodiment a fixing device 38, for example a linear swing clamp is provided in accordance with FIGS. 10 to 16 and fixes the coupling element 20 in the coupling position in the decoupled state.

In a further preferred exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 10 to 16 , at least one second sensor 36 is provided, which detects the position of the coupling element 20. The sensor 36 in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 10 to 16 is preferably arranged on the pivot arm 24 and detects the position of the rotary plate 16. In principle, the sensor 36 can also be arranged on the rotary plate 16 and for example can detect the position of the pivot arm 24.

It is also conceivable that, using the sensor 36, the coupling element 20 can be positioned in the coupling position, for example by means of a second positioning device.

In FIGS. 10 to 16 the fixing device 38 is preferably arranged in the pivot arm 24. In principle, the fixing device 38 can be arranged for example on the pivot arm 24 or on the rotary plate 16.

In a further preferred exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 11 to 16 , the fixing device 38 has at least one component 40, for example a conical component, which in the fixed state cooperates with at least one counterpiece 42, for example a conical counterpiece, which is associated with the rotary plate 16. If the fixing device 38 is actuated, the component 40 pivots preferably through 90° and then runs into the counterpiece 42.

In a further exemplary embodiment at least a third sensor is provided, which determines the state of the fixing device 38. For example, it is conceivable that the third sensor is arranged on or in the fixing device 38. However, other embodiments are also conceivable, as long as the third sensor determines the state of the fixing device 38. It is conceivable that a pivot movement of the rotary plate 16 cannot be performed as long as the sensor fails to signal that the fixing device 38 is in the fixed state.

The coupling element 22 preferably has at least one formed-on portion 44 and the coupling element 20 has at least one recess 46 according to FIGS. 6 to 9 , which in the coupled state engage in one another in a positive-locking manner. In principle, the coupling elements 20, 22 engage in one another in a positive-locking and/or force-locking manner. In principle, other forms of the coupling elements 20, 22 are also conceivable, provided they engage in one another in a positive-locking and/or force-locking manner.

In a further exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5 , the orientation of the formed-on portion 44 and of the recess 46 in the coupling position runs substantially along and/or parallel to the plane spanned by the pivot movement of the pivot device 30. The formed-on portion 44 runs in FIG. 5 substantially along the pivot path of the pivot device 30, and the recess 46 of the coupling element 20 likewise runs in this direction. In other words, the formed-on portion 44, the recess 46 and also the pivot movement of the pivot device 30 lie in one plane or the pivot axis of the pivot movement of the pivot device 30 is at right angles to the direction of orientation of the formed-on portion 44 and the recess 46. If, for example, the formed-on portion 44 and the recess 46 run in another opposite position to one another, the coupling elements 20, 22 could thus become tilted during the coupling process on account of the pivot angle and could thus become damaged.

In a further preferred exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 10 to 16 , the pivot device 30 is a lift-and-pivot device formed preferably as a piston-cylinder unit, and in particular the lift movement is configured and used to actuate the fixing device 38 on the rotary plate 16. For example, the lift-and-pivot device 30 is first actuated for the transfer of the winding machine 10 from the pallet mode into the drum mode, with the lift movement preferably actuating the fixing device 38. If the fixing device is in the fixed state according to the third sensor, the pivot movement of the rotary plate 16 is then performed.

If, for example, the winding machine 10 is transferred from the drum mode back into the pallet mode, the coupling element 22, if it is not in the coupling position, is first brought into the coupling position. The sensor 32 preferably detects the position of the coupling element 22 and preferably prompts the positioning device to orient the coupling element 22 accordingly if the coupling element 22 is not in the appropriate position. The sensor 36 preferably detects the position of the coupling element 20 or the rotary plate 16. In the drum mode, however, the rotary plate 16 should already be in position since it will have already been fixed beforehand by means of the fixing device 38. The fixing device 38 should likewise be locked. This is determined by the third sensor. If all coupling elements 20, 22 are in position and the third sensor signals that the fixing device is in the fixed state, the pivot movement of the rotary plate 16 is performed by means of the lift-and-pivot device 30.

In a further preferred exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the winding machine 10 in the at least one decoupled state is configured for operation with a drum 28 revolving about a horizontal axis and in the at least one coupled state is configured for operation with a pallet 14 revolving about a vertical axis.

According to FIG. 3 a drive device 48 is provided, which drives the rotary plate 16 in the coupled state by means of the shaft 34 and the transmission 26. In the decoupled state the drive device 48 drives the rollers 18 by means of the transmission 26.

It goes without saying that this description may be subject to a wide range of different modifications, amendments and adaptations that fall within the scope of equivalents to the appended claims. 

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A winding machine configured for at least one of winding or unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material comprising: a pivot arm; a drive device comprising at least two opposite coupling elements; a pivot device; a rotary plate arranged on the pivot arm and configured to be driven by the drive device, at least one coupling element being associated with the rotary plate, the rotary plate being transferrable by the pivot device between at least one decoupled state and at least one coupled state; and a first sensor; wherein the coupling elements are configured to be positioned opposite one another in a coupling position in a sensor-based manner in using the at least one first sensor.
 17. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein at least one coupling element is configured to be fixed in the coupling position.
 18. Winding machine according to claim 17, wherein at least one fixing device is provided, fixing the coupling element in the coupling position in the at least one decoupled state.
 19. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein at least one second sensor is provided, which is configured to detect the position of the coupling element .
 20. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein at least one second sensor is provided with is configured to position the coupling element in the coupling position.
 21. Winding machine according to claim 18, wherein the fixing device is arranged on or in the pivot arm.
 22. Winding machine according to claim 18, wherein the fixing device comprises at least one component which, in the fixed state, cooperates with at least one counterpiece which is associated with the rotary plate.
 23. Winding machine according to claim 18, wherein at least one third sensor is provided, being configured to determine the state of the fixing device.
 24. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein the at least two coupling elements include one first coupling element comprising at least one formed-on portion and one further coupling element in operative connection to the first coupling element and comprising at least one recess, wherein the formed-on portion and the recess engage in one another in a positive-locking manner in the at least one coupled state.
 25. Winding machine according to claim 24, wherein an orientation of the formed-on portion and of the recess in the coupling position runs substantially along or parallel to a plane spanned by a pivot movement of the pivot device.
 26. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein the pivot device is a lift-and-pivot device, wherein a lift movement caused by the lift-and-pivot device is configured to actuate the fixing device on the rotary plate.
 27. Winding machine according to claim 26, wherein the lift-and-pivot device is a piston-cylinder unit.
 28. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein the at least one drive device is configured in the at least one decoupled state to drive a drum revolving about a horizontal axis and in the at least one coupled state to drive a pallet revolving about a vertical axis.
 29. Winding machine according to claim 16, wherein it is configured in the at least one decoupled state for operation with a drum revolving about a horizontal axis, and in that it is configured in the at least one coupled state for operation with a pallet revolving about a vertical axis.
 30. A method for transferring at least one rotary plate of a winding machine configured for at least one of winding or unwinding band-shaped or strip-shaped material, between at least one coupled state and at least one decoupled state, wherein the at least one rotary plate is arranged on a pivot arm and driven by at least one drive device comprising at least two opposite coupling elements, at least one coupling element being associated with the rotary plate, comprising the steps: positioning, in a sensor-based manner, at least one first coupling element of the at least two coupling elements opposite at least one further coupling element of the at least two coupling elements in a coupling position, pivoting the rotary plate.
 31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step: fixing at least one coupling element.
 32. A method in accordance with claim 30, further comprising the step: determining the state of the fixing device. 